Election Night

David Martin supporters watch the polling numbers come in for the four mayoral candidates during election night at the Democratic headquarters at the Stamford Marriott in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013.

Jon Carlo Gallup displays the poll numbers for mayoral candidates during election night at the Democratic headquarters at the Stamford Marriott in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013.

Election night always gets my adrenaline going. Not just because I have a lot to photograph with events happening right up against deadline but people are excited and there is a lot of emotion, win or loose.

It is the one night of the year that the people of Stamford decide who they want making the tough decisions for the future of the city.

Jay Tepper, left, and his wife, Barbara, light up after seeing favorable numbers displayed on the numbers board for David Martin during election night at the Democratic headquarters at the Stamford Marriott in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013.

It was a toss-up who was going to photograph the winner of the mayoral election. I was at the Democratic headquarters and Lindsay was across the city at the Republican headquarters and we knew it was going to be close.

Throughout the night at the Stamford Marriott Hotel and Spa I saw dozens of people glued to the actions of one man, Jon Carlo Gallup. That man displayed the votes as they came in from each of Stamford’s 20 districts.

With rapt attention, the little murmur that came from the crowd died when his writing began. Then the few moments of muted silence exploded into deafening cheers when favorable numbers came in for Democratic mayoral candidate David Martin. Even though there was no candidate present.

Every so often there would be a subdued boo from the crowd when Republican mayoral candidate Michael Fedele came out ahead in another district.

My colleagues covering Fedele across town were telling us that Fedele was conceding the race to Martin.

Shortly after the concession speech, the candidate turned mayor-elect arrived to a roar of applause. Hand shaking and hugs from supporters slowed his progress to the stage where he gave his victory speech.

His job campaigning has ended. His new job, governing, starts in a few weeks and many will be watching with careful attention to see what kind of future he brings to Stamford.